Everyone knows that Valentine's is about saying “I love you” to that special someone, or shyly letting that secret crush know that they have an admirer. But what about when that person isn’t a fan of the whole chocolates and hearts thing? Or when that person is fan of indie music, not average soppy pop love songs?
Have no fear, help is at hand. Indie Music Suite has scoured the web and its own collections for the best indie love songs ever to present this ultimate list of the greatest romantic tracks of the indie genre. Download these tracks from all the usual online music stores, and create a soundtrack that will melt the heart of even the coolest Indie fan this Valentine's day.
The Wannadies - ‘You and Me Song’
A loud, proud, joyful burst of happy and smiling togetherness. Made a name for itself in Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, possibly the greatest love story of all time.
Ash – ‘Angel Interceptor’
Take a trip back into 90s old skool indie with the boys responsible for the awesome album 1977. Indie Suite was totally torn between this Ash track and their equally head-bobbing, heart-wrenching ‘Girl From Mars’, but 'Angel Interceptor' won out for its lyrics, which excitedly await the arrival home of a soul mate rather than ‘Girl From Mars’’ ode to a fondly remembered summer romance (that said, this is definitely a track which needs to find its way to any self respecting summer romancer’s ipod).
The Eels – Fresh Feeling
This song is guaranteed to make any girlfriend or boyfriend smile, and to make any singleton wish they had someone to play it for. Strings and an indulgent urban, poppy rhythm single this track out as one of the most uplifting romantic tracks indie fans are likely to find, ever.
The Postal Service – ‘Such Great Heights’
Perhaps the greatest track to come from the US indie pop duo, featuring Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie, who also nearly had a track featuring on this list. Wildly upbeat and with simple lyrics describing the awe of finding a soulmate. This rounds off the ‘high on Valentine's’ section of this list; time to change the vibe a little.
Snow Patrol – ‘Crazy in Love’
Indie fans listening to Gary Lightbody and co’s cover of the now world famous 'Crazy in Love' will never want to hear Beyonce’s version ever again. Snow Patrol take the diva’s hugely urban chart topper and turn it into an epic indie triumph, sounding out a little bit of red-blooded sex appeal in the process.
Air – ‘Sexy Boy’
What could be hotter than a sexy French band for Valentine's Day? Not much in the way of lyrics here, but this track certainly does what it says on the tin. It’s a stomping indie mood fest with some raging hormones added to the mix. Also check out Franz Ferdinand’s cover for a real Cavern gigging feel. Indie Suite decided not to feature more than one track from any particular artist for this mix, but wholeheartedly recommends Air’s ‘Talisman’ from the same Moon Safari album, a beautiful instrumental piece which is oh-so-perfectly suited to staring deep into a lover’s eyes….
Athlete – 'Halflight'
The gorgeous swells of Athlete’s hook ridden ‘Half Light’ have all the right emotions with none of the cheesy self-indulgence of the majority of the eyeball roll inducing ‘love songs’ out there. It says what it means and means it honestly: make the most of time spent together.
Oasis – 'Wonderwall'
Another trip down memory lane for indie and Britpop fans as Indie Suite pays tribute to one of the most romantic guitar pop tunes in existence: “Maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me…And after all, you’re my wonderwall”. Who could resist?!
The Decemberists – 'Red Right Ankle'
Indie Suite has lost track of how many ‘best of indie love songs’ websites and forums have comments competing to describe how wholeheartedly readers would swoon for anyone who chose this song to express their feelings (although Indie Suite recommends not listening too closely to the lyrics post- first verse, they’re actually not as romantic as many think…) It’s a beautiful track, sentimental precisely for its lack of sentimentality, and set into a nostalgic folk context.
Coldplay – 'Fix You'
The swell of this track’s mid section should be enough to make even the most anti-romantic indie fan tremble inside. But yes, Indie Suite agrees, it has been a little overplayed and may be a tad wearisome for some, and yes it really should be in the Alternative Rock section, but who cares!!
Sufjan Stevens – 'To Be Alone With You'
A beautiful gentle and innocent track from the king of US indie singer songwriters. Romantic lyrics and a lighter than air melody all scream ‘I’d do anything for you’.
And so ends what could be the greatest indie love mix ever; that’s for readers to decide. In any case, enjoy spreading a little indie love with these alternative love songs this Valentine's Day, and everyday.
Related Reading
Still need something a little more this Valentine's Day? Check out these 2009 concert ticket gift ideas, and 2009 UK concert ticket gift ideas.
Read reviews of Snow Patrol's A Hundred Million Suns, and Coldplay's Prospekt's March.
And find out about the greatest indie bands' chances of success at the UK's music 'Oscars' the Brit Awards.
Lisa Sutlieff - Lisa is a freelance music journalist and copywriter from Reading, UK, with a penchant for indie bands and an ear for shiny new ...
